COPs on the Hill -Stories from the week of January 22, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 22, 2010

That is one small step for drug reform:  This week the Senate’s judiciary committee passed the Webb Commission bill out to the whole Senate by a unanimous vote.   When it will be taken up and voted on by the whole Senate is unknown at this time.  The concept of this bill– a wide-ranging discussion of our prohibition strategy—has been what I have been urging the Congress to do since my arrival in 2005.  It feels very, very good to see the concept moving forward.

 Slow week = more time to read and write:  As I said previously, the last 30 offices in the Senate are the hardest.  I made 6 presentations this week.  I wrote an oped.  I had more time to read.  I just finished a most excellent book:    Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?  To be able to discuss marijuana prohibition like an expert, read this book.  I learned a lot and I am my 13^th year of activism. 

 At least bring up the issue:  Below* is a sample of letters I am sending out every week.   These are Rs who come to Grover Norquist’s brunch and seek approval and funds.  I also chat with them before or after they speak, opening with something like,’ So, what is your position on the War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition?  Keep going or repeal it like 1933?’ 

 Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

 Thank you, 

 Howard

 *Dear Mr. Warner

 I saw you speak at Grover Norquist’s brunch this week.   

 You probably know that a solid 70% of felony crime in West Virginia is caused by drug prohibition – the 40 year running, trillion dollar Bridge to Nowhere. 

 I hope you will bring to the Congress a drug policy based on these simple concepts:  liberty, property rights, limited federal involvement.

 If you would like concrete ideas to lower costs even further and improve public safety, please just ask.

 I am at your service.

 Sincerely,

 Howard

  (I was wearing the large cowboy hat at Grover’s)

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

 Thank you, 

 Howard

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional &  immoral  domestic policy since slavery  & Jim Crow.

COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

Slow Week on the Hill:  I have been working on the Senate  side for two months and have presented to 70 offices.  The last 30 are always the hardest, as the aides simply do not respond to my email requests for a meeting.  This week I only presented to four offices with four scheduled for next week.    It is a delicate balancing act between being a bit forceful without becoming annoying.   They rarely say no, rather they just ignore you, hoping you go away.

MPP celebrates:   Karen convinced me that my attendance at the MPP 15^th anniversary gala was necessary.   Yes it was 250 but sometimes you just have to spend the money.   Note to self…..always listen to Karen.    So I put on my tux and…….

In the happy hour room, I was near the entry door and thus able to have a five minute conversation with two term Governor Gary Johnson (R- NM) and his aide.  We talked about him running in 2012 on the R ticket and how Misty and I would organize an equestrian brigade to help.  Note:  I had met the Governor in the fall of 2008 in Santa Fe, NM when he invited me to lunch.

Next came Congressman Steve Cohen whom I had met in Nashville at a reception when he was still a state senator (thanks to my friend Paul Kuhn of Nashville for sneaking me into that reception).   The Congressman and I had an excellent chat.

Do I know you?:  When I  entered the dining room, I saw at my assigned table my old buddy, Jack Cole of LEAP,  already seated.  I just laughed internally, found a seat not too close and we both behaved ourselves. LOL

Let’s coordinate our efforts:  This week I contacted the lobbyists for DPA, MPP and NORML & asked them to come together on Friday.  The topic was how, what, when, where and who to introduce a simple bill in the House to repeal federal prohibition.  Six of us met for two hours at DPA HQ and hashed* things out.     As you know, COPs take a ‘marijuana first’ strategy in ending all prohibition. 

I am not at liberty to discuss details but it was a productive meeting that will bear fruit.  Stay tuned.

*Hashed things out = über alles diskutieren und erledigen

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, 

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

COPs  on the Hill 

Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

 Faux pas or How reform wins?:   Last week I recognized a member of McConnell’s (R-KY & Minority Leader) staff who every week briefs those who attend Grover Norquist’s brunch.   Of course I could not think of her name as we approached each other near Union Station.  “Senate lady.  How you doing?”  I called out.   She did recognize at least the hat and responded.

At Grover’s this week she told the 120 folks about how she was hailed as the “Senate Lady” near Union Station and had hoped no one in ear shot had taken that to mean something X rated.   Everyone laughed.  As she moving forward to address the group, she spied me and I sheepishly raised my hand as the guilty one.  My face has not been that red since I rode Misty across the Utah desert.   Her name is Lanier & shall NOT forget it ever.   On the flip side,* she won’t forget me either. 

How do you measure success/progress?:   At a coffee shop near my home, ‘off-duty’ (LOL) & wearing my shirt, I became engaged in a chat.  The person asked how I measure progress.  I related this story as one method. 

Before meeting the Senate staffer from a western state, the receptionist and I engaged in a chat.  Her husband had retired as the commander of that state’s police.  “Not to butter your toast,*  but I must tell you that your state was the best at demonstrating hospitality to my horse and me.  It took 14 days to cross your state and 12 nights someone took us in.”

 I told her how I had ‘backed up’ a state trooper on a traffic stop in the middle of nowhere which her husband may have heard of. (how often does a guy on a horse stand by a traffic stop to make sure the officer is okay?)

 The next day I gave her the 12 pages out of Misty’s book which detailed the hospitality and adventures of riding thru her state (included two nasty dust storms).     Upon leaving, she stated I was an effective speaker for my issue and wished me good luck on my mission.  NOTE:  at that moment I wish I had been able to give her LEAP card to give to her husband but…..

 To the guy at the coffee shop, I summarized by saying.  One never knows when a contact like this bears fruit but statistically one knows that a certain percentage do. 

 *on the flip side  = on the other hand

*butter your toast* = schmeicheln

  Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

  Thank you,

 Howard

 Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of January 1, 2010

Howard on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 1, 2010

Best moment in 2009:

When Congressman Johnson engaged me in conversation 2 weeks ago. This was only the second time in over three years that a Member asked for a chat.

Worst moment in 2009:

 The briefing in November I attended on the Webb Commission bill where we were informed that law enforcement was exerting great pressure to kill/make  useless – the Webb bill.

The stats of 2009:

Since August 1 and the launch of COPs:

225 presentations were made to Congressional Staffers and six VIPs.

 Four (4) radio interviews were done, along with two (2) TV interviews.

5 opeds published in on line blogs

24 Letters to the Editor published

COP Members have contributed 18,000 Dollars ( I am humbled and honored)

Total expenses for calendar 2009 were 4200 (1000 of which were fees to establish COPs w/ the government).

Strategy for 2010:

 Coordinate closely with MPP and DPA to see a bill introduced to repeal federal prohibition of cannabis and or repeal federal prohibition of the medical use of cannabis.

Past that, make presentations to 535 offices on the Hill, meet and chat with more VIPs and discover as many venues as possible for COP speakers to help at the local and state levels.

In late August I will take a leave of absence from COPs. I will take Misty to California via truck and trailer and spend 10 weeks there campaigning to pass their legalize/regulate/tax cannabis ballot issue.

Stay alert for any opportunity to move the issue.

Howard

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you,

Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired) Drug Policy Specialist,

 COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC 817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

 Citizens Opposing Prohibition 

PO Box 772 Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 25, 2009

NOTE: The change on the Hill became quite noticeable in 2008 and this year became a near Tsunami. Reading these will help you see what I have seen. The staffers have come a long, long way since 2005.

Staffer of the year 2009: In the first minute of a presentation to the staffer of an Oklahoma Republican he stopped me to say he was a Ron Paul type Libertarian and agreed with the COP position. “Now here is how you craft the bill so Republicans can sign on to it.” He added. I began writing what he said & even more as he told me how to sell the bill using a line of reasoning based on the 9th and 10th Amendments. *

 This type of conversation with Republican staffers was duplicated another 8 times this year. The tipping point in nigh.*

 Staffer of the year 2008: Early this year a Senate staffer called and told me of a bill he was worried about. He explained what the bill would do. ‘What do you think, Howard? Should the Senator oppose this bill?’ Instinctively, I knew this was bad legislation, however I needed articulation.* I quickly called my mentor who gave me chapter and verse why one should oppose the bill. I called back the staffer, (& may I say sounding quite intelligent), I gave him 5 talking points why to advise the Senator to oppose the bill. He forwarded my talking points to members of the judiciary who thanked him for his articulation on the bill.

The bill, sponsored by a Democrat, died without a hearing. Developing relationships since 2005 is beginning pay off.

 Staffer of the year 2007:  And I quote him “Hypothetically speaking, if drugs were legalized and distributed by clinics, it’s likely that health insurers are going to demand notification when their beneficiaries access those drugs. That means those beneficiaries bills will go way up or they’ll lose coverage all together. This would likely cause another black market to be established, because folks won’t want to lose their health insurance. What do you do about that?

And to be honest, though we didn’t get into it, my personal belief is that you should just keep killing every drug dealer arrested. Eventually you’re going to run out. I’m not sure we can make a real dent in the problem under our current justice system that allows people to deal drugs with little penalty.”

 Note: I did answer all his concerns but he was NOT listening.

Staffer of the year 2006: A few minutes into a meeting with a staffer, she declared that, because drug use would skyrocket with legalization, it was a no-go idea. I pointed out that Holland’s marijuana use had dropped to half of America’s after 30 years of legalization. “That’s because they all went onto to use hard drugs!” she replied, tartly.* It took all my 18 years of police-learned discipline not to burst out laughing. 3 minutes later she stated, “So, you want to sell heroin to 10 year olds!” I replied no, give heroin roughly with the same regulations and controls as whiskey. About 1 staffer in 25 reacts to my visit like this one. These people are very comfortable in their dogma* based on ignorance……

BTW, her Republican boss is on the House Judiciary Committee near the top of the seniority. No doubt her boss has the same information/attitude base as the aide. Now you have a better idea why things are so messed up.

 Staffer of the year 2005: A Congressional staffer had a new one. His reason for opposing ending prohibition? ‘If we legalize marijuana, eventually the growers will want to receive a subsidy to grow it, the same as farmers receive subsidies to grow tobacco, rice, sugar etc. It will just mean one more expense for the federal government.’ Most of you don’t know it but I do have a poker face. I coolly replied, “Well, this is the first day of my second rodeo. Call me naïve but I have faith that the US Congress will never subsidize cannabis farmers.” The staffer remained unconvinced. I went on to another meeting, chuckling* all the way down the hall of the Rayburn Building.

** 9th and 10th amendments = ein Staat (Bayern Z.B) soll das Vorrecht haben ihre eigene Vorschrifte zu schreiben, nicht die Bundesriegierung in Berlin.

 • Nigh = soon, bald, jetzt

 • Articulation = erklären

 • Tartly = scharf

 • Dogma = gleich

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, Wishing you and yours all the best in 2010. 

Howard

  Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC 817-975-1110 Cell

 howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772 Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

What I would rather be doing in retirement: time w/ my horse: 2003 en route from Georgia to Oregon – 6 months in the saddle.